🇿🇦Helicopter incidents in South Africa
53 helicopter incidents recorded in South Africa from our database, sourced from NTSB records, news reports, and official investigation authorities.
How many helicopter crashes have there been in South Africa?
This database records 53 helicopter incidents in South Africa, the earliest in 2008 and the most recent in 2026. 7 have been recorded so far in 2026. The worst single year was 2021, with 10 incidents.
How many people have died in helicopter crashes in South Africa?
38 deaths across 22 fatal accidents, which is 42% of all incidents recorded here. Every other accident in South Africa was survived by everyone on board. The deadliest was on 2021-01-21 at Bergville, which killed 5.
Which helicopters crash most often in South Africa?
The most frequently recorded type is the Robinson R44 with 13 incidents, followed by the Robinson R22 with 7. That reflects how many of each type fly in South Africa rather than how safe they are.
What causes helicopter crashes in South Africa?
Where a cause has been established, the most common is mechanical failure, in 5 accidents, then wire strikes in 3. Many records carry no established cause, either because the investigation is open or because none was published.